Candle Flame Simulation Using a Projection System

ABSTRACT

Electric candles are described having a candle-shaped housing, a flame element extending from the housing and one ore more projectors disposed within the candle-shaped housing such that a media file can be projected on to a first surface of the flame element using the pico projector. The flame element could be fixed or move with respect to the housing. The flame element could be transient and only exist when the candle is on.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisionalapplication having serial no. 61/758,602 filed on Jan. 30, 2013. Thisand all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in anincorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition ofthat term provided herein, the definition of that term provided hereinapplies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is electric lighting devices, and especiallylighting devices configured to simulate a flickering flame.

BACKGROUND

The following background discussion includes information that may beuseful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admissionthat any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant tothe presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Various electric lights are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.8,132,936 to Patton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,319 to Schnuckle et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,355 to Schnuckle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,455 toSchnuckle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,994 to Schnuckle et al., U.S. pat.publ. no. 2011/0127914 to Patton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,720 toJaworski et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,471 to Reichow; U.S. pat. publ. no.2005/0285538 to Jaworski et al. (publ. December 2005); U.S. Pat. No.7,481,571 to Bistritzky et al.; U.S. pat. publ. no. 2008/0031784 toBistritzky et al. (publ. February 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no.2006/0125420 to Boone et al. (publ. June 2006); U.S. pat. publ. no.2007/0127249 to Medley et al. (publ. June 2007); U.S. pat. publ. no.2008/0150453 to Medley et al. (publ. June 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no.2005/0169666 to Porchia, et al. (publ. August 2005); U.S. Pat. No.7,503,668 to Porchia, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,627 to Michaels, etal.; U.S. pat. publ. no. 2006/0039835 to Nottingham et al. (publ.February 2006); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2008/0038156 to Jaramillo (publ.February 2008); U.S. pat. publ. no. 2001/0033488 to Chliwnyj ; U.S. pat.publ. no. 2008/0130266 to DeWitt et al. (publ. June 2008); U.S. pat.publ. no. 2012/0024837 to Thompson (publ. February 2012); U.S. pat.publ. no. 2011/0134628 to Pestl et al. (publ. June 2011); U.S. pat.publ. no. 2011/0027124 to Albee et al. (publ. February 2011); U.S. pat.publ. no. 2012/0020052 to McCavit et al. (publ. January 2012); U.S. pat.publ. no. 2012/0093491 to Browder et al. (publ. April 2012); andEuropean publ. no. 1878449. However, while various mechanisms have beenused to more closely simulate a flickering flame of a candle, suchmechanisms suffer from one or more disadvantages.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

Thus, there is still a need for improved electric candles and otherlight sources that more realistically imitate a flickering flame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatuses, systems, and methodsfor simulating a candle flame using a projector, and preferably a picoprojector. The projector is disposed within a housing and positioned ina manner to allow either direct or indirect projection onto a flameelement or other projection surface. It is contemplated that the flameelement can be coupled to the housing such that at least a portion of itextends out of the housing.

In preferred embodiments, the projector is capable of projecting a mediafile (e.g., an image or video) or colors onto the flame element. Theprojector is also capable of projecting visible light at an intensitysuch that the light reflected from the flame element has an intensity ofbetween 2 and 15 lumens.

In another embodiment, a sensor provides feedback to the projector sothat when the flame element experiences air-flow disturbance, theprojector responds with a corresponding projection.

In still further contemplated embodiments, the electric candle or lightcould include a 3-dimesional hologram projection cube produced using athree-point video projector. An example of such projector is the “HoloADprojector” by InnoVision Labs of Taiwan. A flame image could also beprojected onto the projection screen via a pico or other projector.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electriccandle that includes a projector disposed within a housing.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a flame element.

FIGS. 3-5 shows vertical cross-section views of various embodiments ofelectric candles.

FIGS. 6A-6B show a top view and a side view of one embodiment of anelectric candle having multiple projectors.

FIGS. 7A-7B show a top view and a side view of one embodiment of anelectric candle having multiple projectors and a transient projectionscreen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that while portions of the following description isdrawn to a computer/server based lighting control system, variousalternative configurations are also deemed suitable and may employvarious computing devices including servers, interfaces, systems,databases, agents, peers, engines, controllers, or other types ofcomputing devices operating individually or collectively. One shouldappreciate the computing devices comprise a processor configured toexecute software instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium (e.g., hard drive, solid state drive,RAM, flash, ROM, etc.). The software instructions preferably configurethe computing device to provide the roles, responsibilities, or otherfunctionality as discussed below with respect to the disclosedapparatus. In especially preferred embodiments, the various servers,systems, databases, or interfaces exchange data using standardizedprotocols or algorithms, possibly based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES,public-private key exchanges, web service APIs, known financialtransaction protocols, or other electronic information exchangingmethods. Data exchanges preferably are conducted over a packet-switchednetwork, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or other type of packet switchednetwork.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

FIG. 1 generally depicts a cross-sectional view of a preferredembodiment of the inventive subject matter. It depicts a housing 10, aprojector 20, a flame element 30, and a projected image of a flame 40.In this embodiment, the projector 20 directly projects onto the flameelement 30 from its location within the housing 10.

Housing 10 can comprise a polymer, a metal, a ceramic, a composite, anoptically conductive material, an electronically conductive material, awood, or a composite thereof. It can be formed into any shape that atraditional wax candle can be formed into. Different embodiments canhave housings 10 having varying levels of transparency and can bedifferent colors. Housing 10 preferably resembles a traditional waxcandle, although it could include other form factors such as a lightbulb appearance.

Projector 20 can be any device capable of projecting light as images,colors, or videos while still being small enough to be disposed withinthe housing 10, and preferably comprises a pico projector. It shouldhave a lens (e.g., an optical device used to refract light). Inpreferred embodiments, the projector 20 is disposed within the housing10 such that it can project visible light onto the flame element 30either directly or indirectly.

In especially preferred embodiments, projector can comprise a matrix ofmicro-LEDs controlled by a microprocessor to project an image that is atleast partially out of focus onto the flame element. A more detaileddescription of this projection system can be found in co-pendingInternational Application having serial no. PCT/US14/13867 filed on Jan.30, 2013.

In embodiments where the projector 20 projects visible light onto aflame element 30 directly, there should exist a direct line-of-sightbetween the projector 20 and the flame element 30.

In other embodiments, the projector 20 may project visible lightindirectly onto the flame element. This can be achieved using a specularsurface to reflect the light in a desired direction.

Flame element 30 can comprise a polymer, a metal, a ceramic, acomposite, an optically conductive material, an electronicallyconductive material, a wood, or a composite thereof having a tendency todiffusely reflect visible light. It can be coupled to the housing 10such that the flame element 30 is able to move relative to the housing10, but in other embodiments, it can be fixed to the housing 10. Flameelement could be injection molded or formed of a laminate.

Device 100 can further include an electromagnet configured to generate atime-varying electromagnetic field and thereby cause movement of theflame element 30 with respect to the housing 10. It is contemplated thatthe electromagnet can include a coil of wire and timer circuitry thatcollectively generate the electromagnetic field over time according to apredefined waveform. A description of various waveforms can be found inco-pending U.S. patent publication no. 2013/0286642 to Candella, LLC.

Rather than an electromagnet, it is contemplated that a fan, motor, orother drive mechanism could cause movement of the flame element 30. Adiscussion of fan-based devices can be found in WIPO patent applicationhaving serial no. PCT/US13/65284 filed on Oct. 16, 2013.

FIG. 2 shows the general dimensions of an embodiment of a portion of theflame element 30. It generally has a depth 50, width 60, and height 70.The edges can be rounded and the depth can vary as a function ofdistance from the center (e.g., such that the flame element is roundlike a candle flame). It can be shaped symmetrically about a verticalaxis 80, having the general shape of a candle flame, or it can beasymmetrically shaped about the vertical axis 80.

In some embodiments, the projector 20 projects an image onto the flameelement 30, while in others it projects video or simply a set of colors.The projector 20 should be minimally capable of producing colorscomprising red, green, and blue.

In some embodiments, the brightness of the projector 20 can be adjustedautomatically or manually. The brightness of the projector 20 can beadjusted based on feedback from a sensor detecting air disturbance orambient light levels, or a human operator can adjust the brightnessremotely or locally.

The projector 20 of some embodiments can be a small device comprising alight source, a combiner optic (e.g., a lens), and supportingelectronics. It can be capable of projecting an image on an objectlocated in close proximity (e.g., within 5 inches). It can also becapable of projecting video at similar proximity.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of an electric candle 300 thatsimulates a flickering flame. Candle 300 can include a candle shapedhousing 302 and a flame element 306 that extends from the housing 302.Candle can further include a pico projector 308 disposed within thehousing 302 that projects upwardly toward the flame element 306.Typically, the pico projector 308 will be disposed within the housing302 such that the projector 308 projects at an angle of between 30-60degrees toward the flame element 306.

It is contemplated that the flame element 306 could be affixed to thehousing 302, or could be coupled to the housing 302 to allow formovement of the flame element 306. Where the flame element 306 can move,the candle 300 preferably includes a drive mechanism to effect movementof the flame element 306.

Projector 308 can be coupled to a microchip 338 and memory 340 thatstores one or more media files that could be presented by the projector308. It is also contemplated that the projector 308 or microchip 338could be wirelessly coupled to a remote storage unit where media filescould be stored and streamed to the projector 308 such as via a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of an electric candle 400 thatsimulates a flickering flame, where the flame element 406 is composed ofan acrylic plastic, paper, or other material that is clear or slightlytextured to pick up, reflect, show and or be essentially a movie screen.In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the flame element 406 couldbe raised and lowered when the candle is on and off, respectively. Theflame element 406 could be folded down or simply lowered within thehousing 402, for example.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an electric candle 500 thatsimulates a flickering flame through the use of holography. In thisembodiment, flame element 506 can comprise a holographic tube that has aplurality of lines or cut-outs. A motor 510 can be used to rotate theholographic tube. As light is projected upwardly by light source 508,the holographic image consisting of the plurality of lines (possibly1000 lines) scribed on an interior surface of the tube can be seen,giving the appearance of a moving flame. Preferably, the holographictube is clear so that it is less obtrusive when the candle is off.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate another embodiment of an electric candle 600having a housing 602 and first, second, and third projectors 608A-608C.The projectors 608A-608C are each preferably disposed within the housing602, such that they project onto a surface of the flame element 606,which can include a three-sided element. In other contemplatedembodiments, flame element 606 could comprise a cylinder, or othershaped surface. In some embodiments, the projection surface of each ofthe projectors 608A-608C can overlap with a neighboring projectionsurface.

Where multiple projectors are used, it is preferred that the projectionfrom each of the projectors 608A-608C is coordinated with one another.It is also contemplated that the projection can be coordinated withmovement of the flame element 606 in embodiments where the flame elementmay move with respect to the housing 602. This could be accomplished byhaving the projectors each project a media file that is pre-coordinatedwith the expected movement of the flame element based on a waveform thatcontrols the drive mechanism that moves the flame element, for example.In other embodiments, a sensor could be used to detect an orientation ofthe flame element 606, and then a microprocessor could receiveinformation from the sensor and determine what should be projected fromeach of the projectors 608A-608C.

FIG. 7A-7B illustrate another embodiment of an electric candle 700having a housing 702 and multiple pico projectors 708 that project on toa projection surface. Preferably, the projection surface is transientand may comprise steam or cool mist. In such embodiments, it iscontemplated that the candle 700 includes a humidifier 750. This couldadvantageously be used as a night light or decoration for a child's roomfor example, where light or media can be projected on to steam or mistproduced by the humidifier 750. In other embodiments, the transientsurface could comprise smoke or perhaps particles held in a magneticfield.

Other contemplated embodiments include a candle having a sensor todetect at least one of air disturbance and ambient light level and acontroller that sends signal to a drive mechanism corresponding to ameasurement from the sensor to thereby coordinate movement of the flameelement and/or ambient conditions with a projector.

In another embodiment, the electric candle can include a cylinderzoetrope with a light positioned within the housing such that itilluminates the interior surface of the zoetrope on which images of aflame are present. Thus, as the zoetrope rotates, a flame can be seen.

In yet another embodiment, the electric candle can include a motorwithin the housing having a drive shaft protruding from the housing, asensor to detect the rotational speed of the drive shaft of the motor, arectangular piece having at least a first and second side connected tothe drive shaft of the motor, and at least a first and second LCD screenon each side of the rectangular piece, wherein the LCD displays an imageof a candle flame based on the rotational speed of the drive shaft.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parametersshould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scopeof some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspracticable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of theinvention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. An electric candle that simulates a flickeringflame, comprising: a candle-shaped housing; a projection surface coupledto, and extending above, an upper surface of the housing; and a picoprojector disposed within the candle-shaped housing and configured toproject a media file on to a first surface of the flame element thatsimulates the flickering flame.
 21. The candle of claim 20, wherein theprojection surface is affixed to the housing.
 22. The candle of claim20, wherein the media file comprises an image of a flame.
 23. The candleof claim 20, wherein the media file comprises a video of a moving flame.24. The candle of claim 20, wherein the projection surface is movablecoupled to the housing, such that the projection surface can rotate orpivot with respect to the housing.
 25. The candle of claim 24, furthercomprising a sensor configured to detect an orientation of theprojection surface with respect to the sensor, and wherein the projectedmedia file is varied as a function of the orientation of the projectionsurface.
 26. The candle of claim 25, further comprising a microprocessorconfigured to receive information from the sensor about the orientationof the projection surface, and alter a projection of the pico projector.27. The candle of claim 20, further comprising a second pico projectorconfigured to project onto a second surface of the projection surface.28. The candle of claim 27, wherein the first and second surfacesoverlap.
 29. The candle of claim 20, wherein the upper surface of thehousing comprises an aperture, and wherein the pico projector isconfigured to project the media file through the aperture on to theprojection surface.
 30. The candle of claim 20, wherein the projectionsurface has a non-planar, curved surface.
 31. The candle of claim 27,wherein the projection surface comprises three sides, and furthercomprising a third projector configured to project onto a third surfaceof the projection surface.
 32. An electric light configured to simulatea flickering flame, comprising: a housing; a transient projectionsurface disposed above the housing; and a projector disposed within thehousing such that an image or video can be projected on the projectionsurface.
 33. The candle of claim 32, wherein the projection surfacecomprises steam.
 34. The candle of claim 32, wherein the projectionsurface comprises cool mist.
 35. The candle of claim 32, wherein theelectric candle comprises a humidifier that produces the projectionsurface.
 36. An electric candle that simulates a flickering flame,comprising: a candle-shaped housing; a flame element pivotally coupledto, and extending from, the housing; and a micro projector disposedwithin the candle-shaped housing such that a media file can be projectedon to a first surface of the flame element using the micro projector,wherein the projected media file is coordinated with a movement of theflame element.
 37. An electric candle that simulates a flickering flame,comprising: a candle-shaped housing; a flame element extending from thehousing; a first projector disposed within the candle-shaped housingsuch that the first pico projector projects a first media file onto afirst surface of the flame element; a second projector disposed withinthe candle-shaped housing such that the second pico projector projects asecond media file onto a second surface of the flame element; andwherein the first and second pico projectors are coordinated inprojection of the first and second media files.
 38. The candle of claim37, wherein the flame element is affixed to the housing.
 39. The candleof claim 37, wherein the flame element is movable coupled to thehousing, such that the flame element can rotate or pivot with respect tothe housing.